Bake Ina Garten’s Heavenly Honey Vanilla Pound Cake Recipe

When the sweet aroma of vanilla and honey blends perfectly in Ina Garten’s honey vanilla pound cake, magic happens in the kitchen.

Soft, dense, and irresistibly moist, this classic dessert promises pure indulgence.

Every slice tells a delicious story of rich ingredients and careful baking.

The golden-brown exterior gives way to a tender, velvety crumb that melts in your mouth.

Garten’s recipe balances sweetness with a delicate touch of flavor that makes this pound cake stand out.

Warm from the oven or served at room temperature, this cake beckons with its comforting charm.

Grab your mixing bowl and let’s bake a slice of pure happiness.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Calories: 400 kcal

Servings: 8

Ingredients List for Ina’s Honey Vanilla Pound Cake

• Unsalted Butter: Creates rich, luxurious texture and provides deep, creamy flavor foundation for the pound cake.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cake and helps create tender, light crumb with beautiful golden color.

• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and contribute to cake's soft, velvety structure.
• Honey: Adds natural sweetness with subtle floral undertones and helps retain moisture.
• Vanilla Extract: Delivers warm, complex flavor depth and aromatic essence.
• Lemon Zest: Introduces bright, citrusy notes that complement the cake's richness.

• Cake Flour: Ensures delicate, tender crumb with lower protein content compared to all-purpose flour.
• Kosher Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor profile.
• Baking Powder: Provides necessary lift and helps cake rise evenly during baking.

Tools to Whisk, Bake & Cool This Sweet Treat

• Electric Mixer: Stand mixer with paddle attachment for creaming butter and sugar, essential for smooth batter.
• Glass Measuring Cup: Perfect for combining eggs, honey, vanilla, and lemon zest before adding to mixture.
• Loaf Pan (8 1/2 x 4 1/2 x 2 1/2-inch): Crucial for shaping and baking the pound cake.
• Parchment Paper: Helps prevent sticking and ensures easy cake removal.
• Rubber Spatula: Ideal for gently folding batter and smoothing the top of the cake.
• Sifter: Necessary for evenly combining dry ingredients like flour, salt, and baking powder.
• Toothpick: Used to check cake doneness by testing the center.
• Baking Rack: Important for cooling the cake after baking.

Instructions to Bake This Cake Right Every Time

• Oven Preparation

Set the oven to a warm 350°F and get your loaf pan ready by coating it with a light layer of grease and flour. A parchment paper lining helps ensure smooth cake removal.

• Butter and Sugar Blending

Use an electric mixer to whip butter and sugar together until they become a fluffy, cloud-like mixture. This process creates the cake’s soft, tender foundation.

• Liquid Ingredients

Gather eggs, golden honey, fragrant vanilla, and zesty lemon peel in a measuring cup. These elements will infuse the cake with rich, complex flavors.

• Egg Integration

Slowly incorporate eggs into the butter mixture, allowing each one to blend smoothly. Gentle mixing prevents the batter from becoming lumpy or separated.

• Dry Ingredient Combination

Gently combine cake flour, salt, and baking powder in a separate bowl. Sifting ensures a smooth, lump-free texture for your cake.

• Batter Creation

Carefully fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Use a light touch to maintain the batter’s airy consistency and prevent over-mixing.

• Pan Filling

Transfer the silky batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the top to create an even surface for beautiful baking.

• Baking Process

Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake until a toothpick comes out clean, typically around 50-60 minutes. The kitchen will fill with a warm, sweet aroma.

• Cooling and Serving

Allow the cake to rest in the pan briefly, then transfer to a cooling rack. Patience ensures the perfect texture before slicing and enjoying.

Flavor Enhancements and Subtle Twists to Try

• Invest in an accurate oven thermometer to ensure the perfect temperature, preventing under or overbaking of your pound cake.
• Experiment with different honey varieties like wildflower, clover, or lavender to create unique taste profiles that complement the vanilla base.
• Bring butter and eggs to room temperature before mixing to achieve a smoother, more uniform cake texture that melts in your mouth.
• Wrap the cooled pound cake tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, maintaining its moisture and freshness.
• Elevate the cake by serving with a dollop of whipped cream, fresh berries, or a light honey glaze for an extra touch of elegance and flavor complexity.

Serving with Tea, Berries, or Just a Smile

• Serve Alongside Sweet Companions: Pair this delicate pound cake with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of fresh whipped cream for an indulgent dessert experience.
• Craft a Tea Time Treat: Slice the cake into thin pieces and serve with a hot cup of Earl Grey or chamomile tea, creating a perfect afternoon snack that combines comfort and elegance.
• Design Stunning Presentation: Dust the cake with powdered sugar and garnish with fresh berries like raspberries or sliced strawberries to add a pop of color and fresh flavor to the classic pound cake.
• Elevate Brunch Offerings: Cut the cake into elegant triangles and arrange on a beautiful platter as a delightful morning centerpiece that complements other breakfast dishes like fresh fruit or light pastries.

Keeping Pound Cake Soft & Delicious for Days

• Maximize Freshness: Store the honey vanilla pound cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days, keeping the cake moist and delicious.
• Refrigerate for Extended Life: Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 7 days, extending its enjoyment without losing flavor or texture.
• Freeze for Future Treats: Slice the cake and individually wrap each piece in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container to freeze for up to 3 months, perfect for quick dessert cravings.
• Revive Refrigerated Slices: Bring refrigerated cake to room temperature for 30 minutes before serving to restore its original soft texture and enhance its rich honey-vanilla flavor profile.

Heavenly Ina Garten Honey Vanilla Pound Cake Recipe

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4.9 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s honey vanilla pound cake delivers rich, moist perfection with classic baking techniques. Home bakers can easily craft this elegant dessert that pairs wonderfully with afternoon tea or evening coffee.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• ½ pound (225g) unsalted butter, at cool room temperature
• 4 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 ¼ cups (250g) sugar
• 2 cups (240g) sifted cake flour
• 2 tbsps (30ml) honey
• 2 tsps pure vanilla extract (10ml)
• 1 tsp grated lemon zest
• 1 tsp kosher salt (5g)
• ½ tsp baking powder (2g)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Grease an 8 1/2 x 4 1/2-inch loaf pan, line with parchment paper, and dust lightly with flour to ensure smooth cake release.
2. Oven Setup: Position rack in center and preheat to 350°F, creating optimal baking conditions for a delicate pound cake.
3. Butter Mixture: Cream unsalted butter and granulated sugar in a stand mixer until pale and fluffy, developing a light, airy base for the cake.
4. Liquid Ingredients: Whisk together eggs, honey, vanilla extract, and lemon zest in a separate bowl, blending aromatic flavors that will permeate the cake.
5. Ingredient Integration: Gradually add egg mixture to butter-sugar base, incorporating each component thoroughly to maintain a silky, uniform texture.
6. Dry Ingredient Preparation: Sift cake flour, kosher salt, and baking powder through a fine-mesh strainer to eliminate potential lumps and ensure even distribution.
7. Batter Completion: Fold sifted dry ingredients into wet mixture using low mixer speed, mixing just until combined to preserve the cake’s delicate structure.
8. Baking Process: Pour batter into prepared pan, smoothing the surface evenly, and bake for 50-60 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
9. Cooling and Serving: Rest cake in pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and enjoying the honey-infused treat.

Notes

• Precision Matters: Accurately measure ingredients using kitchen scale for consistent results, especially with flour and butter.
• Room Temperature Tip: Ensure eggs, butter, and honey are at room temperature to create smoother, more uniform batter with better incorporation.
• Mixing Magic: Stop mixing immediately when dry ingredients are just combined to prevent tough, dense cake texture.
• Storage Secret: Wrap cooled cake tightly in plastic wrap and store at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain moisture and freshness.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 31g
• Sodium: 220mg
• Fat: 22g
• Saturated Fat: 14g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 48g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 4g
• Cholesterol: 105mg